14.5 wsm or MES

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reasoning

Smoke Blower
Original poster
Jul 18, 2013
140
12
Iowa
Hi, I'm looking to expand my cooking family and have narrowed it down to a 14.5 wsm or a MES. Some of the qualities I'm looking for are

1) Convenience-

   - Ease of cleaning is an issue with my current 22.5 the pan is a beach! I know I know foil the pan, but I can never make that work. The smaller 14.5 would be easier to clean in theory.

   - Also the MES is appealing for the set it and forget it nature, especially on all night cooks like butts and briskets.

   - Size, i'm looking for something smaller because busting out the 22.5 wsm for just my wife and I is ridiculous. The 14.5 would be ideal. The MES is larger yes but wouldn't feel guilty burning a whole bag of lump for just a couple chickens.

2) Cost after Purchase

   - It's not a huge deal but going with the MES would reduce my cost after purchase by not having to buy charcoal. I understand you still need chips/pellets etc. But also need to buy chunks with charcoal smokers.

Concerns

Taste- will I be sacrificing any taste going to an electric from my usual charcoal?

Durability- obviously if taken care of weber products will last a lifetime. How do MES' do?

basically I'm leaning towards the MES for convenience but if I lose a bunch of flavor due to lack of charcoal I might not go that route. Yes I know people like the electric smokers, and yes I know their are die hard charcoal enthusiasts. I want people who have both or had both to chime in please :)

thanks for reading and for your replies.
 
I have a mes and a mini wsm ( basically a 14.5 wsm ). I use the mini all the time. Love the charcoal taste and once you get use to it, it will cook all night with out touching it.

I use the mes for precise temp and smoke control using the AMNPS.

The charcoal will give a more bbq flavor.

Hope I helped some.
 
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